I can't really call it cheating because these putters are currently legal under both the R&A rules and the USGA rules. However, I do agree that I absolutely do not like seeing anyone win a major championship or any tournament using this style of putter, i.e., Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson. Frankly, I feel these putters have no place in professional golf. I always ask myself how many more tournaments Johnny Miller could have won had he had this type of putter when he developed the yips. I feel these putters carry an unfair advantage and I sincerely hope the R&A and the USGA see fit to ban them.

I never wish for a choke for anyone. I just wish for Tiger to outplay everyone. I thought it was terribly inappropriate that Bubba Watson stated to a reporter that he hoped it was really calm Sunday when he played early and then the wind and rain would start for all the leaders. Does this sound like good sportsmanship to you guys?? The idea is to outplay the other guys not win by weather default, or so I would think.

I'll second that

I agree with you about Bubba, even though i like him that's out of line. What do you think Tiger needs to shoot tomorrow? I'd say somewhere in the range of 65-66.

Its not cheating if the rules allow you to use it. Heck, imagine if the players 50 years ago could use the clubs that players today use...technology advances and everyone has a chance to take advantage of it.

If you dont wnat to, then that is your choice but you cant speak for everyone.

Apparently you're not at all familiar with the rules of golf. Your comment that "Adam Scott cheats by using the putter up to his chin" simply has no validity whatsoever. Clearly he wouldn't be allowed to use this putter unless it conformed to the rules. Case closed.
Believe me, I can understand why you can't stand Stevie Williams. You're not alone there, that's for sure. But I think Tiger himself would be embarrassed by your comment hoping for "a big choke from Adam" on Sunday. If Tiger is able to come back and win tomorrow, I don't think it'll be because Scott choked, nor do I think that he'd want to win that way. Tiger made things tougher on himself today, but he's not out of it by any means.
If Scott does hold on to win, though, it'll be a great milestone for him. And what type of putter he uses will not minimize the validity of the win. Webb Simpson used a belly putter to win the U.S. Open last month, and I didn't hear any bellyaching about that. There may well come a time, perhaps not too far down the road, when longer putters will be banned, but that's not the case now.

So agree, Shenlee!!!  The long putters need to go......  and regards Bubba:  not the first time his mouth has run loosely.  Not the first time.....

Tomorrow is a new day and lots can happen.  I admired Adam Scott's comment stating exactly that.  He's not ready to claim the trophy after 54 holes!  At 5 shots back, Tiger still has a chance.  IMHO though he's got to be a little more aggressive off the tee.  But then....Tiger knows best :-))

 

 

I agree Bubba's words were in poor taste but they were only words and not actions.  The real losers are the ones who act poorly on and off the course and do not apologize.  There should be no tolerance for poor actions on and off the course for these professionals.  Other sports have seen fit to hold players responsible for their poor actions off the playing field.

Tigerslam,

i "think" i understand your frustration with the long putter.

and some of my faves have won with belly putters.  i
think the tide may be turning regarding the belly putter,
and i want them learn to play their best golf without using it.
and i think they will.   they are such good golfers.  but right
now it is legal to use it.   :-)

but:

i like Adam Scott.   he is not one of my faves, but i like the
way he carries himself.
but i want Tiger to win. 
i think it is unfortunate that for many years,
(long before Adam teamed up with Stevie & also Adam's use of the long putter)
some Tiger fans have been very unkind in their remarks about Adam Scott. 
and i just don't think that is a good thing.   Tiger is always complimentary to his
opponents.   and i just think Scott seems to be a nice guy.   i like the way he
carries himself.   but  Stevie is not one of my faves.

Snedeker is gaining valuable experience in a major and would be my second
choice, but i want Tiger to win.

Nobilo, who has been a coach for the President's cup and has worked with
Scott, is one of my fave commentators.   he has been fair in his assessment of
both Tiger's and Adam's play.  he is probably pulling for Scott and i understand
that.   we are pulling for Tiger.   no problem.   that's just life. 

Oops!   almost forgot.   i like you too,  tigerslam13.  not trying to put you down, buddy.
i really do think i understand your frustration, and i am beginning to feel
frustrated about it too.   the decision will be made in 2016, but i think the tide
is turning "against" the use of the belly putter for pga.  but i hope the senior pga
will continue to be allowed to use it.       :-)


:-)

to slam13 and shenlee:   i did not hear Bubba's comment  about the weather,
but knowing how he likes to kid around, he may have been making one of those
"kidding" type comments.   even Tiger has been alluding to the weather tomorrow
and smiling about it.   i just think it is that one upmanship stuff.   i could be wrong.
of course i don't think any of them really "mind" if the elements give them an
edge over their opponents.    :-)

:-)

I'll admit that I didn't see or hear Bubba's comments, but my first thought is that he probably had a big smile on his face when he said it. He's 9 strokes back, and realistically has no chance to win tomorrow. I don't think he'd make a comment like that if he really meant it. I could be wrong, but I have to believe that his comments were definitely tongue-in-cheek.
As for the long putter debate, I don't think we'll ever agree on this, but I have no problem with them. If they really did "carry an unfair advantage", why wouldn't more players be using them? If we do see the USGA and/or the R&A step forward with a ban of some type, I think you'll see the it with belly putters, due to the fact that their use includes the anchoring of the putter to some part of the body (e.g., the belly). It'll be curious to see if something is done in the next year or two, particularly in light of the fact that a couple of recent majors were won with belly putters.